Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-03
written for THE EvESrsc STAB.
THE MIS- DVENTURES OF JOHN
NICHOLSON.
CHRISTMAS STORY.
IN THREE PARTS.
Br ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.
Author OF Treasure Island, ''Dr Jekyu and Mr..
hyde" Etc, Etc. Etc
copyrighted, 1ss7.)
PART III.
CHAPTER v.
TIVE PRoDIGAL's RETURN.

wonderful expansion OF the SOUL such as men en-
JOY on the completion OF long nounshed schemes
He was az home again, lncognito and rich; pres
entity he could enter his fathers house by means
OF the pass-key, which he had piously preserved
through all his wanderings; he would throw down
the borrowed money: there would be a reconcila-
ton. the details OF which he frequently arranged
and he saw himself. during the next month, made
welcome In many stately houses at many frigfd
dinner parties taking his share In the conversation
with the freedom OF the man and the traveller, and
laying down the law on finance with the authority
OF the successful investor. But this program was
lot 20 be begun before evening-not until Just
before dinner, Indeed at which meal the re-assem-
bled family were 70 sit roseate and the best wine
the modern ratted calf, should flow for the prodi-
gals return.
Meanwhile he walked familiar streets, merry
"reminiscences crowding round him, sad ones also
both with the same surprising pathos. The keen
frosty air; the low, rosy, wintry sun; the castle
hailing him like an old acquaintance; the names
OF friends pilates; the sight OF friends whom
he seemed TO recognize, and whom he eagerly
avoided. In the streets; the pleasant chant OF the
north couLtry accent; the dome OF ST. Georges re-
minding him OF bis last penitential moments in
the lane, and OF that King OF Glory whose name
had echoed ever since IN the saddest OF his
memory; and the cutters where he had learned TO
Slide and the shop where he had bought his skates
ings on which he had ratified his clachan as he
went to school; and all those thousand and one
nameless particulars which the eye sees without
noting, which the memory keeps indeed yet with
out knowing. and which, taken one with another
build w for the aspect OF the place that we call
home. all these besieged him, as ne went, with
both delight and sadness
HIS nrst visit was for Houston. who had house
On Regents Terrace, kept for him In old days by
an aunt The door was opened 60 his surprise)
upon the chain, and ayoice asked him from within
II want Mr.. Houston-Mr. Alan Houston" said
sand who are ye." said the voice.
This h most extraordinary" thought John;
and then aloud he told his name.
sudden iHeresse Of scotch accent, testifyins to a
nfendlier feeling.
And the old butler removed his defenses, re-
marking only, II thocht ye were that man. But
his master was not there; he was staying, IL APP
the butler would have been glad enough TO have
taken his place ard given all the news OF the fam
COMA Only, the door was scarce closed again. be-
lore be regretted that he had not asked about
He was 70 pay no more visits TIL he had seen his
father and made all well at home; Alan had been
the only possible exception, and John had not time
~ 81 Is lar T As But mere ne was on
him going round the end Of the hill and looking
from Iwithous on t.e Mackenzies house. AS he
q
OF near his own age, and II was within the bounds
Of possibility that she was married. but this dis
honorable doubt he damned down
There was the house, sure enough; but the door
was OF another color, and what was this-two door
piatef He drew nearer; the top one bore, with
the lower one was more explicit and informed the
passer-by that here likewise the abode OF s'Mr
focts must Be rich. for no advocate could look TO
have much business In so remote quarter; and
John hated them for their wealth and for their
a ak1 Of ha hnn shaxv1 a.a.
Grated with their presence he remembered
Pro1dfOot he had seen at school, not known a
little, whey faced urchin, the despicabe member
OF some lower class Could il be this abortion that
had climbed 10 be an advocate, and now lived in
the birthplace OF Flora and the home OF Johns
derest memories? The chill that had first seized
upon him when he heard OF Houston's absence
deepened and struck inward For a moment as
he stood under the doors OF that estranged house
and looked east and west along the solitary pave,
ment OF the Royal Terrace, where not a cat was
htm by the throat, and he wished himself In san
Francisco.
And then the figure he made, with his decent
Fortunes, his whiakers, the money in his purse
the excellent cigar that he now Lit, required 70 his
mind In consolatOry comparison with that OF GER
tain maddened lad who, on certain spring SUD-
day, ten years before, and in the hour OF church.
time silence, HAD stolen from that city by the Glas
gov road In the face OF these changes 1t were
fmpious 70 dOuot fortunes kindness. All would be
well yet; the MackenZies would be found Flora
younger and loyeler and kinder than before: Alan
would oe found. and would have so nicely discrimi-
mated his behavior as TO have grown on the one
hand. into a valued friend OF Mr.. NichOlsOD's and
20 have remained, upon the other, of that exact
SHADE OF 1Oytallty hich John desired in his CON-
panlons- And 50, once more John fell 10 WORK
dfscounting the delightful future; his first appear
ance IN the family pew his frst visit 10 his Uncle
and ON whose purblind Edinburgh eyes John was
. et 10 the dazzling daylight OF The West, and the
Details In general OF unriyalled transformation
scene, IN which he was TO display 10 all Edinburgh
portly and successful gentleman In the shoes OF
the derided fugitive
The time began 10 draw near vhen b,a ,a,ha~
would have returned from the ONCE, and IL would
De the prodigais cue 10 enter. He strolled west
pleased he knew net why. TO move In that cold air
and indigo twilight, starred with street Tampa
But there Was one more disenchantment waiting
Al the corner Of Pitt street he paused to light a
nesn cigar; the yestra threw. as he did 50. a
his own age stopped at sight Of It.
II think your name must be Nicholson" said
was too late TO avoid recognition: ana besides
as John was now actually on the way home II
hardly mattered, and he gave way to the Impulse
Great scotti- be cried, "Beatson.- and shook
hands with warmth IL scarce seemed he was re-
so you're home again" said Beatson. sWhere
nave you been all this long timer
ID tne states, said John-'California I've
na~nc my PIE though; and IL suddenly struck me
would Be noble scheme TO come home for
Il see" said Beatson- swell, hope wen see
something OF you now you're here,
-. guess So" said John, a little frozen
wen, ta-Is, concluded Beatson, and he shook
hands again ana went
This was cruel first experience IL was idle
70 Olnk facts: here was John home again and
bcatson-Old Beatsnn-did not a rush. He
IcaneO Oh beatsOn In the past-that merry and
anectonate lad-aDd their Joint adventures and
Ialshaps, the wlniou they had broken with cata-
pun IN Indla Place, the escalade OF the castle
Iock, and many another inestimable bond OF
tnenosLlp; and his hurt surprise grew deeper
well AFTER al, " was only On a mans own family
tEat ne could count; blood was thicker than
water, ne remembered and the net result Of this
encounter was % bring him 10 the doorstep OF MS
i-tners house, With tenderer and softer feelings.
The night had come; the fanlight over the door
RON where the cloth was being laid and the
three windows OF the drawing-rOOm where Maria
would be waiting dianer glowed sOftlier through
yellow binds- IL was like vision OF the past All
THIS time Of his absence, Life mad gone forward
WITH an equal foot, and the fires and gas had been
nghtru, and the mesls spread at the accustomed
hOeT@ Az The accustomed hour. too, the bell had
sOunded thrice 70 cal the family 70 worship. And
AZ toe THOUGHT paEg Of regret for his demerit
sehd nm; ne remembered the things that were
god and that he hal neglected, and the things
that were evil and that he had loved: and IL was
WIZ prayer upon his lips that he mounted the
esrps and tArust ths key into the Eeyhole
he sleppei into the lighted hall, shut the door
sstly b-hlnd him. and stood there nxed IN won
az. 40 SUI prise Of stranger could equal the
surprlse ~ LAT complete familiarity There was
Ouol oi MANNERS lear the stair raillngs there
Wa the clothes brush In the accustomed place.
AMI there, on the hat stand hung hats and coaf
Al ~ N.aF H..